I realize this is a controversial topic and many who read this will be a bit insulted, born from their pride of ownership in a particular brand. However, strictly on a impartial basis, can anyone suggest the most seaworthy, well built ready-to-tackle-the-elements world cruiser for me to purchase either new or used. I've been fortunate to retire at 55 with a healthy inheritance from a family member and I want to sail the world solo. I don't want it to be more than 75 feet long otherwise a ketch, sloop, cutter etc. doesn't matter. Your help is appreciated.
- Status
To make this a meaningful question
You've got to put some price parameters to it. You could spend $50k to $5 mill on a 50+ foot boat, and I'm betting the custom-built $5 million choice would be more seaworthy.
You've got to put some price parameters to it. You could spend $50k to $5 mill on a 50+ foot boat, and I'm betting the custom-built $5 million choice would be more seaworthy.
White Sail -- have you ever sailed before?
If so on what boat (boats?) What is your experience level? Just asking the question and then asking that its no more than 75 feet (!?!) tends to make it sound like that this is more of a dream than an avocation. 75 feet is a very big boat and you'd most likely need a pretty big crew unless you are talking about a "Dashew" type boat. Even then I think most boats over 45-50' would be too much for most Solo-Sailors and probably not advisable. When doing any research on most successful solo circumnavigators most of the boats are under 40' and many under 30'.
If so on what boat (boats?) What is your experience level? Just asking the question and then asking that its no more than 75 feet (!?!) tends to make it sound like that this is more of a dream than an avocation. 75 feet is a very big boat and you'd most likely need a pretty big crew unless you are talking about a "Dashew" type boat. Even then I think most boats over 45-50' would be too much for most Solo-Sailors and probably not advisable. When doing any research on most successful solo circumnavigators most of the boats are under 40' and many under 30'.
Hey white sail
Why don't you tell us a little about your sailing experience? If all you know are sloops, then to hop into a new boat and try to go 'round the world may not be such a geat idea...
Why don't you tell us a little about your sailing experience? If all you know are sloops, then to hop into a new boat and try to go 'round the world may not be such a geat idea...
Best boat? All are compromises in one way or another.
That said, the Nautor Swan is probably one of the most highly regarded blue water boats: http://www.greatloop.com/N5_Member_Websites.asp?pid=21 Cheoy Lees seem to get around a bit. If money is no object you can build your own from the hull on up. I think you want the Swan though.
That said, the Nautor Swan is probably one of the most highly regarded blue water boats: http://www.greatloop.com/N5_Member_Websites.asp?pid=21 Cheoy Lees seem to get around a bit. If money is no object you can build your own from the hull on up. I think you want the Swan though.
Thanks
Thanks for the advice but isn't a 28' a little small for a world cruise, even Joshua Slocum had a 37' or around about.
Thanks for the advice but isn't a 28' a little small for a world cruise, even Joshua Slocum had a 37' or around about.
Hell, I know of a 65' steel ketch with a 17' beam
that's great for a live aboard or world traveller. It's only 297K on yachtworld. I've been aboard it and it's a sweet boat. If I had the bucks, I'd probably pick it up myself.
that's great for a live aboard or world traveller. It's only 297K on yachtworld. I've been aboard it and it's a sweet boat. If I had the bucks, I'd probably pick it up myself.
Experience
I've had 38 years of sailing experience primarily coastal cruising starting with daysailing on a catamaran I built then mono-hull daysailors and now for the last twenty years coastal cruising, I've done a Marion to Bermuda twice but no major blue water sailing. I currently own a Hallberg Rassy HR 31 MK II but I want to go bigger. What about a world cruising catamaran?
I've had 38 years of sailing experience primarily coastal cruising starting with daysailing on a catamaran I built then mono-hull daysailors and now for the last twenty years coastal cruising, I've done a Marion to Bermuda twice but no major blue water sailing. I currently own a Hallberg Rassy HR 31 MK II but I want to go bigger. What about a world cruising catamaran?
Queen Mary II
With unlimited budget the Queen Mary II would be a good choice. They have comfortable staterooms, great food and lots of activities.
With unlimited budget the Queen Mary II would be a good choice. They have comfortable staterooms, great food and lots of activities.
If you have to ask,
you are not ready to go. I would take a LOT of sailing courses before you even think about buying a boat. Then I would meet people and network at the marine. Maybe buy a cheap good boat and sail it around the bays and open water. Then buy a boat and take off.
you are not ready to go. I would take a LOT of sailing courses before you even think about buying a boat. Then I would meet people and network at the marine. Maybe buy a cheap good boat and sail it around the bays and open water. Then buy a boat and take off.
If you have to ask, reply
Thanks, I can always learn more about sailing however I have been sailing for 38 years, I've built a boat before and refurbished a few as well. The reason why I ask is that I want to get a consensus of opinion. I'm thinking a bigger HR or an Oyster, what do you think?
Thanks, I can always learn more about sailing however I have been sailing for 38 years, I've built a boat before and refurbished a few as well. The reason why I ask is that I want to get a consensus of opinion. I'm thinking a bigger HR or an Oyster, what do you think?
Phil's right
If you don't even have an idea how many zeros the price has, it's hard to help you. tens of thousands? hundreds of thousands? millions? Hell, Charlie got a boat for one President Jackson that sounds pretty seaworthy and ready to tackle the elements.
If you don't even have an idea how many zeros the price has, it's hard to help you. tens of thousands? hundreds of thousands? millions? Hell, Charlie got a boat for one President Jackson that sounds pretty seaworthy and ready to tackle the elements.
how about this?
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/boatDetails.jsp?&units=Feet¤cy=USD&ro=2&r=1443396&rs=yachtworld.com&rt=Cruiser&boat_id=1443396&checked_boats=1443396&toPrice=5000000&Ntk=boatsEN&type=%28Sail%29&hmid=0&sm=3&enid=0&cit=true&toLength=75¤cyid=100&luom=126&boatsAddedSelected=-1&fromLength=75&No=10&fromPrice=2000000&ftid=0&slim=quick these type questions for experienced sailors seem to elicit certain responses.
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/boatDetails.jsp?&units=Feet¤cy=USD&ro=2&r=1443396&rs=yachtworld.com&rt=Cruiser&boat_id=1443396&checked_boats=1443396&toPrice=5000000&Ntk=boatsEN&type=%28Sail%29&hmid=0&sm=3&enid=0&cit=true&toLength=75¤cyid=100&luom=126&boatsAddedSelected=-1&fromLength=75&No=10&fromPrice=2000000&ftid=0&slim=quick these type questions for experienced sailors seem to elicit certain responses.
White Sail
Did ya check out Big Blue? I've been aboard and it's nice. It'd probably take 10 knots of breeze to move but that wouldn't be an issue in the trades. It's been to the South Pacific once already. I liked the 1500 # crane on the Port quarter. I could take my bike.
Did ya check out Big Blue? I've been aboard and it's nice. It'd probably take 10 knots of breeze to move but that wouldn't be an issue in the trades. It's been to the South Pacific once already. I liked the 1500 # crane on the Port quarter. I could take my bike.
how about this?
Wow, great boat and I have some money to spent but that's a little out of my price range, but thanks.
Wow, great boat and I have some money to spent but that's a little out of my price range, but thanks.
Phil's right
You're both right, I would rather not spend more that $800K but would consider a bit more.
You're both right, I would rather not spend more that $800K but would consider a bit more.
- Status